Perth Scorchers’ bid to go back-to-back in the Big Bash League has been boosted by a friendly fixture that features blockbuster home dates while limiting their amount of travel.

The Scorchers will need to make only four road trips during the regular season, including an intense January swing that will feature three games in five days in Brisbane and Sydney.

Boxing Day cricket will return to Perth for the first time in three years, with the reigning champions to host Adelaide Strikers at Optus Stadium.

It will be the third leg of a monster day of cricket stretching across the nation, with day one of the Second Test between Australia and South Africa at the MCG to be followed by Sydney Sixers hosting Melbourne Stars at the SCG and then the Perth match from 6.15pm.

The Scorchers will launch their campaign with a home grand final rematch against the Sixers on Saturday, December 17 starting at 4.05pm.

Having hosted just one match in Perth last summer due to border issues, the Scorchers are scheduled to host a full book of seven home matches. No Perth home game will start later than 6.15pm in a family-friendly fixture.

The compact schedule will see the Scorchers play 14 regular season games in the space of 37 days.

The BBL season will launch on Tuesday, December 13 when Sydney Thunder host the Stars at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

CA is confident its product will be reinvigorated, with all teams to host seven home games thanks to open borders, the inaugural draft for international players and a free international calendar after January 8 to allow the big names to join in.

Nine of the Scorchers’ 14 regular season games will be shown on Seven, with the other five only available on Foxtel.

Scorchers captain Ashton Turner said the players were keen to play at their Burswood home after losing eight designated home games last year.

“Fingers crossed that we can have an uninterrupted campaign,” Turner said.

“But we’re also ready to adjust to last-minute changes as has been the case for the last couple of years.”

Perth coach Adam Voges was looking forward to home support and pleased the home Boxing Day fixture meant players could spend Christmas in Perth with their families.

“The boost we’ll receive from playing in front of our members and fans again will be enormous,” Voges said.

“We have the most passionate supporter base in Australia, and the noise they make certainly provides the team with a real lift.”

Perth Scorchers’ 2022/23 BBL FIXTURE

(All times WST)

• Sat Dec 17 4.05pm v Sydney Sixers (Optus Stadium)
• Mon Dec 19 4.15pm v Hobart Hurricanes (UTAS Stadium)
• Fri Dec 23 12.30pm v Melbourne Stars (CitiPower Centre)
• Mon Dec 26 6.15pm v Adelaide Strikers (Optus Stadium)
• Thurs Dec 29 6.15pm v Melbourne Stars (Optus Stadium)
• Sun Jan 1 10.40am v Melbourne Renegades (Marvel Stadium)
• Wed Jan 4 6.15pm v Sydney Thunder (Optus Stadium)
• Sat Jan 7 6.15pm v Brisbane Heat (Optus Stadium)
• Wed Jan 11 4.40pm v Brisbane Heat (Gabba)
• Fri Jan 13 3.30pm v Sydney Thunder (Sydney Showgrounds)
• Sun Jan 15 4.15pm v Sydney Sixers (SCG)
• Wed Jan 18 4.40pm v Hobart Hurricanes (Optus Stadium)
• Fri Jan 20 1.30pm v Adelaide Strikers (Adelaide Oval)
• Sun Jan 22 4.15pm v Melbourne Renegades (Optus Stadium)
• Finals: Fri Jan 27 – Sat Feb 4